It certainly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in downtown Jeffersonville, and the holiday season officially kicks off tonight, Thursday, with the 15th annual Downtown Merchants Holiday Open House from 6 to 9 p.m.

Schimpff’s Confectionery has the candy canes covered. And the silver lanes aglow? Well, giant holiday snowflakes will be aglow from lampposts, so that’s pretty close.

There may not be toys in every store, but there are certainly gifts for kids of all ages available at the 22 local businesses participating in the event.

Jeffersonville Main Street, along with the Downtown Merchants Association, encourages shoppers to come out and preview holiday items, stock up on gift cards, and maybe grab a meal or a drink.

“It’s reminiscent of a time gone by, when people would stand outside storefront windows to see all the new merchandise for Christmas,” said Jay Ellis, executive director of Jeffersonville Main Street, Inc. “See the snowflake lights, ride the trolley, shop, or browse and go back later to buy gifts or gift cards.”

“We want people to just enjoy that Christmas setting,” he said. “Come out and get to know your local business owners. They’re putting their best foot forward for this event every year.”

Free trolley rides will make it easy to visit all the participating businesses, situated primarily along Spring Street with some additional spots on Court and Michigan Avenues, Riverside Drive, as well as Pearl, Maple and Market Streets.

Each trolley will feature live music, and roving musicians will wander the area, serenading shoppers on the streets and in businesses as well.

Many of the shops will feature specials and sales for the evening, along with free sweets or beverages for shoppers.

“Our downtown has grown tremendously over the last 15 years,” Ellis said. “We’ve gone from an area with modest investment to an area that has very few vacancies now. Our bar and restaurant scene have really picked up.

The Holiday Open House is just the beginning of the holiday season in downtown Jeffersonville. Saturday, Nov. 24, promises to be a big day as Small Business Saturday coincides with the Light Up the Holidays Parade and Light Up Jeffersonville.

New Albany also has events planned for Nov. 24, including its annual Holiday Fest/Jingle Walk.

Small Business Saturday started in 2010 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to encourage people to Shop Small to support local businesses.

“The holiday shopping season is a critical time for these small businesses,” said Ellis. “We realize you’ve got limited holiday dollars to spend, consider spending some of that money locally.”

“This year you could really do it up,” he said. “Have lunch at a downtown restaurant, visit the Schimpff’s for their candy cane making, do a little shopping, and stick around for the city’s Light Up Jeffersonville and parade. Make a full day of it.”

Light Up festivities begin at 4 p.m. in Warder Park on Court Avenue with the parade starting on Market Street at 6 p.m. Light Up Jeffersonville at 6:30. The evening includes train rides, inflatables, live entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

“Downtown Jeffersonville is such a vibrant place. It’s a place where people want to come to shop and dine. A healthy downtown is always an indicator of a healthy community. We hope people realize that Downtown Jeffersonville is everyone’s downtown, regardless of which part of the city you live in.”

Visit Jeffmainstreet.org or the Jeffersonville Main Street Facebook page for more information, a buy-local directory, and a complete list of holiday events.

More SoIN happenings:

Walk, run, or roll in this 3.1 mile event in Downtown Jeffersonville with a tribute to the military following. This family-friendly event demonstrates respect for those who have served in our armed forces.

I KNOW HIM!

What: Santa arrival/50th anniversary celebration

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10

Where: Green Tree Mall, Clarksville

Santa will arrive at 11a.m. on the Clarksville Fire Department hook and ladder truck. A bag giveaway at 10 a.m. for the first 250 people. Fifty of the bags will have a $50 gift card. Activities will begin immediately following Santa’s arrival with music, crafts, face painting and more. Local organizations tables include: Clarksville Police Department, Clarksville Fire Department, Jeffersonville Library and more.

Bring to life a unique puppet made from paper plates, crazy tube socks, feathers and more. Free to the public, but registration is required. Contact Delesha Thomas at 812-944-7336 or email dthomas@carnegiecenter.org to register.

Good bargains abound at the Friends of the Jeffersonville Public Library in November. All Christmas and large print books will be on half price at the regular second and fourth weekend sales in the Friends bookstore. This is a great opportunity to pick some good ideas for the holiday season and books to read during those long winter nights. Regular prices at the used bookstore in the library are: $1 for hardbacks and 50 cents for paperbacks. Children's books are 10 cents. The Friends bookstore is located on the lower level of the main branch of the Library located at the corner of Court Avenue and Locust Street and is open on the second and fourth Fridays and Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. (Nov. 9, 10, 23 and 24.) All proceeds of from the sale of used books go to support library programs. Donations of good used books, magazines or puzzles are welcome and may be brought to the bookstore during open hours or left with the library at other times.

Clarksville Little Theatre is planning auditions for the January production, "Boeing Boeing," directed by Andrew K. McGill. Needed are two men, ages 30-40; three women, ages 25-35; one woman, age 40-60. Auditions will be Nov. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. at the theatre, 301 E. Montgomery Ave., Clarksville. Auditions will consist of a cold read from the script. All females wishing to audition need to be aware that three out of the four roles available require accents– French, Italian, and German. Please try to prepare at least two to five lines in the appropriate accent(s) for the characters you’re auditioning for. This is requested but not required for the audition. Bring an up-to-date resume and a photo. The photo does not need to be a professional headshot, and can simply be a printed 4×6 from Facebook. This is to help the director recognize you as he goes through the casting process. Rehearsals will begin Sunday Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. Production Dates: Jan. 11-13 and 18-20. If you have any questions, contact the director at clt.boeing2019@gmail.com.

FLEA MARKET

What: Flea market

When: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Nov. 10

Where: Georgetown Optimist Club, 8260 Ind. 64

The Georgetown Optimist Club, 8260 Ind. 64, is hosting a community flea market. The table rental is $10, and 30 tables are available. Come and join us for a fun morning, 8 a.m. to noon. Call Nelly to reserve your spot, 812-951-2675 or the club 812-951-1910. Concession will be open.

Images

Videos

Commented

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Sponsored

First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.